LIVERMORE — The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, 290 Norlands Road, will host a family-friendly interactive Christmas celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
Visitors can experience Christmas in the 19th century and participate in living history activities such as wagon rides, caroling, period crafts, storytelling, parlor games, cooking in the farmer’s cottage, the one-room schoolhouse and tours of the 1867 Washburn family mansion.
Soup, cookies and mulled cider made fresh on the wood stove will be available for a donation, while supplies last.
Visitors can see and hear how the Washburns and their neighbors, the Bradfords, anticipated Christmas and prepared for the holiday. They can journey back in time for a greater understanding of how the holiday evolved over the course of the 19th century and the different ways Washburn family members celebrated in cities such as Chicago and Washington, D.C., during the 1800s compared to family members living at Norlands at the same time.
In the mansion, visitors can see a decorated dining room as though the Washburns are expecting guests. Children can help decorate the tree. “Aunt Clara” will visit and share stories of Christmas’ past and parlor games for all ages. Dramatic readings of “The Night Before Christmas” and other poems will take place periodically throughout the day and guests may sing along with the Norlands’ carolers in the ladies’ parlor. In Mr. Washburn’s kitchen, visitors can string popcorn for the tree or make a period craft, such as lavender sachets, popular in the 1800s.
The gift shop will be open and filled with unique treasures for holiday shopping needs, including Norlands’ own maple syrup, old-time toys, books, prints, cards, caps and bonnets, dolls and stick candy.
A Cookie Walk fundraiser will benefit the new barn fund. For $5, visitors can fill a bag with delicious homemade cookies to take home.
Admission costs $10 per person, $6 for ages 12 and younger, and $25 for a family rate.
FMI: 207-897-4366, www.norlands.org.
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